When Midcoast Conservancy holds Timber Frame courses at Hidden Valley Nature Center, more than post-and-beam frames are built: partnerships, friendships and new skill sets are regular features of the four-day workshops. Working shoulder to shoulder, sharing meals and conversation, and the common interest in a classic building technique makes for wonderful camaraderie.

The first of three courses this year will be offered from April 27-30 at HVNC in Jefferson. In addition to the basics of the course, participants are invited to stay, free of charge, at one of the huts or yurt at HVNC, and join fellow coursemates for a Mexican dinner at the Alna General Store, and a beer field trip to sample the wares at nearby Oxbow Brewery.

Each course is a four-day, hands-on experience, where eight students will have the opportunity to build a complete timber frame and participate in every step of the process from harvesting trees to raising the finished structure, working with two expert instructors to learn the basics of sustainable forestry and saw mill operation, building design principles, and hands-on building techniques for constructing a simple frame.

Timber framing, sometimes referred to as post and beam building, is a historic way of building that uses specific joinery to erect a building made from large beams. The buildings are both rugged and beautiful. Timber frame construction can be a satisfying way to make use of harvested trees from personal woodlots, to build a shed, barn, or even a house.

Tuition is $450 for Midcoast Conservancy and MOFGA members, and $500 for all others. Scholarships may be available. Tuition includes lunch each day, use of all necessary tools, a cookout on Sunday and a Midcoast Conservancy membership. Complete information and registration is available online at www.midcoastconservancy.org. This workshop is sponsored and supported by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Assoc., Hancock Lumber, and Woodmizer Sawmills.

For more information about Midcoast Conservancy events visit midcoastconservancy.org, email info@midcoastconservancy.org, or call 207-389-5150.